Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Physical Therapy

• Work with trained, experienced physical therapist assistant
• Facilitate core stabilization and postural alignment
• Improve mobility, movement awareness and balance
• Decreased weight bearing exercises on lower extremities
• Allows for less painful activities
• Aquatic Bodywork and Ai Chi can be incorporated into a therapy session

Aquatic Occupational Therapy

• Work with trained, experienced certified occupational therapy assistant
• Treatment, rehabilitation, and education on self-management techniques
• Specialized in patients with chronic swelling, lymphedema and chronic pain.
• Aquatic Bodywork and Ai Chi can be incorporated into a therapy session

Aquatic Bodywork

• Aquatic Bodywork in its simplest definition could be called floating facilitation. In warm water, a nurturing experience with dynamic movement occurs which promotes a decrease in pain and reduction in stress, creating an overall sense of relaxation, health, and wellness.
• Each session is unique to a patient’s needs and every individual’s experience is different. Using the deeply relaxing effects of warm water and continuous nurturing support, the receiver is floated, cradled, rocked, and stretched throughout the session.
• Aquatic Bodywork is most valuable for those who have difficulty working on functional activities secondary to pain, muscle spasm or spasticity. It can also be used for treating stress, neck and back pain, orthopedic problems, arthritis, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, and a host of other conditions.

What You Need to Know

• Patients of aquatic therapy will need to check in at the registration desk in the hospital lobby.
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to allow time for preparation to enter the pool at your scheduled time.
• You may place a lock on a locker while in therapy, but please remove the lock following your session.
• Please rinse off before and after your session on the pool deck. Use of soap is highly recommended. Please avoid using lotions, hand creams, deodorants, etc., before pool use.
• Swimsuit or t-shirt/shorts that provide appropriate coverage is required. Also, please make sure your swimwear is clean, as this can affect water chemistry.
• Stairs with two railings, a ladder, and a lift chair are available for entering and exiting the water.
• VMH Therapy pool contains chlorine.

To schedule a personal aquatic therapy session available Monday through Friday or for more information, call the VMH Therapy Department at (608) 637-4385.

Aquatic Integration for the Clinical Professional (Course A)

A course designed to introduce therapists to the theory, practice and benefits of Aquatic Integration. The workshop focuses on enhancing aquatic techniques to facilitate core stabilization, postural alignment, symmetry, mobility and movement awareness through a framework developed to bridge clinical skills with a complimentary approach. Completing this course is the first step toward becoming an Aquatic Practitioner. Prerequisite: Current and approved certification/license to touch.

Course A Handout (includes all details of course)

For more information, contact Heather Wuolle (hwuolle@vmh.org) or Sarah Olson (solson@vmh.org).

Aquatic Integration for the Clinical Professional (Course B)

This course is designed to learn additional holding techniques and positions for patients/clients in the water using various floats and movement patterns. Land and water time are given to incorporate Course A concepts/moves and learn additional material to invite change through AI concepts and principles. This course includes two hours of study group time. Completing this course is the second step toward becoming an Aquatic Practitioner.

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of AI4CP – Course A

2. Complete 5 practice sessions

3. Received 2 or more personal sessions

Course B Handout (includes all details of course)

Register by contacting Heather Wuolle (hwuolle@vmh.org) or Sarah Olson (solson@vmh.org).

Aquatic Integration for the Clinical Professional (Course C)

This course expands on the framework of moves, philosophy and concepts learned in AI course A and B. In Course C, students will deepen their skill of listening and translating the language of the body: posture, gesture, breathing, mobility and expression. Students will develop an understanding of the body as a physical/emotional landscape, viewing the body at the surface of the water. The course includes two hours of study group time. Completing this course is the third step toward becoming an Aquatic Practitioner.

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of AI4CP – Course A and Course B or AI – Course 1

2. Completion of AI application and review process

3. Complete 4 hours of study group work

4. Completed 10 practice sessions

5. Received 2-3 or more personal sessions

Course C Handout (includes all details of course)

Ocotber 2-4, 2020

8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Heather Wuolle (hwuolle@vmh.org) or Sarah Olson (solson@vmh.org).

Aquatic Integration for the Clinical Professional (Course D)

This course continues to expand on the framework of moves, philosophy and concepts of aquatic integration. Students will continue to deepen their skill of listening and translating the language of the body. Students will learn to invite change through mirroring, bridging, weighting/waiting, and the use of therapeutic chaos. Students will be able to respond in a fluid, continuous way adapting to situations/conditions with an increasing awareness, alertness, ease and poise. This course includes two hours of study group time.

Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of AI4CP – Course A & B or AI – Course 1

2. Successful completion of AI4CP – Course C

3. Completed 15 practice sessions

4. Received 3 or more personal sessions

Course D Handout (includes all details of course)

For more information, contact Heather Wuolle (hwuolle@vmh.org) or Sarah Olson (solson@vmh.org).